Hurricane Lala threatens Hawaii's Big Island with first direct hit in 155 years

Tropical Storm Lala strengthened Saturday as it moved toward Hawaii's Big Island, with forecasters warning it could make landfall as a hurricane—the first direct hit on the island in 155 years.

The National Hurricane Center issued a rare hurricane warning for the Big Island as the system brought heavy rainfall and wind gusts of 70 mph across the island. Meteorologists said Lala would reach hurricane force as it approached the Big Island early Saturday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

If the storm makes landfall on the Big Island, it would be the first hurricane to do so since 1871, when a Category 3 hurricane struck the island's north side based on historical newspaper accounts, according to Vanessa Almanza, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Almanza noted this would be "the first time since the satellite era."

The Big Island declared a state of emergency as Lala closed in. Gov. Josh Green called Lala "a serious storm" and warned residents that the system was intensifying, urging them to stay safe and exercise caution on the roads.

Forecasters warned of significant rainfall across the Hawaiian islands. The Big Island could receive 10 to 20 inches of rain, with locally higher totals of up to 25 inches possible in higher elevations. Eastern Maui could see 8 to 12 inches, while other parts of Maui and the rest of the island chain could receive several inches. Forecasters said higher elevations could experience life-threatening mudslides in mountainous areas.

The storm also posed a major flooding threat, with meteorologists predicting intense rainfall that could cause destructive flooding. Strong winds were expected to potentially fuel forest fires across the islands.

A hurricane warning remained in effect for the Big Island, while tropical storm warnings were issued for Maui County, including Maui and Lanai. Residents prepared for the storm's arrival, with some filling their vehicles with gas on Friday in anticipation of the system's approach.